This Iconic Slasher Film Has the Coolest Soundtrack
Wes Craven‘s 1996 horror movie Scream is one of the most celebrated films in the genre. With iconic characters and a fresh, darkly comedic take on the slasher, this movie changed what was possible within the horror genre. The soundtrack for Scream is just as iconic as the movie, full of ’90s alternative and indie rock music that sets the scene for a classic high school experience plagued by a vicious killer. This soundtrack is nothing short of perfect for both the movie and the Halloween season — and well worth listening to all year around.
Alternative and indie rock often align with the dark themes explored in the horror franchise – but choosing the right songs for a movie, especially one so reliant on the fear and suspense of the audience, is no small feat. These five songs off the Scream soundtrack are all perfect choices for the scenes in which they can be heard. Through taking a closer look at these eerily memorable tracks, we can better understand the interaction between alt-rock and the horror genre.
5
“Whisper” by Catherine
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Image via Dimension Films</figure>
Starting off on a comparatively lighter note, “Whisper” by Chicago-based alt-rock band Catherine sets the tone for day-to-day life at the fictional Woodsboro High School. Catherine was active from the mid-80s through the ’90s and often compared to The Smashing Pumpkins. They were just underground enough to be cool – surely something the Californian teens in this film may have burned onto their CDs. “Whisper” appeared on their 1996 album Hot Saki & Bedtime Stories, released the same year as Scream. The track is best known for its inclusion in the film.
This song plays towards the beginning of the film. The scene portrays the students lounging around on the school quad, discussing the recent killing of Casey Becker (the tragically short-lived character played by Drew Barrymore). They are talking about the extremely disturbing murder and mutilation of a friend with an alarming level of apathy, indicating the feeling of invincibility and lack of empathy that comes with being a teenager… and perhaps something more nefarious. “Whisper” is a fitting track for this scene – chill, easy background music, but with an edge. Crunchy guitar riffs are balanced with aptly whispery vocals, setting the tone as relaxed, but with a subtle undercurrent of unease.
4
“Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
This next track is much better known – for a multitude of reasons. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are renowned in their field and extremely popular amongst the gothic-rock crowd. They released their most popular album, Murder Ballads, the same year as Scream – they were at the peak of their popularity in the mid-to-late ’90s. “Right Red Hand” was released two years earlier, and quickly became the band’s signature song. Featuring creepy lyrics (sung spoken-word style by Cave) and eerie bell tolls, listening to the song is akin to hearing a ghost story in the dead of night. It is superfluously spooky in a Scooby-Doo kind of way – picture the gang tiptoeing through a haunted mansion on a dark and stormy night. Jinkies!
“Red Right Hand” is frequently featured in movies and television, perhaps most notably as the theme music for the popular BBC show Peaky Blinders. It is also present in all seven movies in the Scream franchise, except for the fourth installment (copyright issues). The song acts as a harbinger throughout the films – when you hear Nick Cave’s melancholic warble, Ghostface is sure to be close behind.
3
“Youth of America” by Birdbrain
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This high-energy, rebellion-steeped track is the definition of teenage angst. “Youth of America” was the final single released by Birdbrain, a short-lived, post-punk band formed in Boston in the early ’90s. Their biggest accomplishment as a group was this song being used in Scream – the official music video features scenes from the film interspersed with clips of the band performing at the scenes of the fictional murders. They truly capitalized on the exposure they received from the movie. This is not to disparage the group or the song – the inclusion of the somewhat niche group does wonders for the era-specific world-building in Scream.
“Youth of America” has a classic indie rock, post-punk feel, featuring a driving drumbeat and distorted guitar. The lyrics describe the death and waste of the youth of America, assumedly in the metaphorical sense – the powers that be are indoctrinating the children, brainwashing the teens, keeping the people down. Good ol’ angst and anti-establishment awesomeness. However, in this context, the often repeated lyrics “You’re all dead” take on a much more literal meaning. This song plays during the high school party at Stu Macher’s (expertly played by Matthew Lillard) house, right before the violence reaches a bloody crescendo.
2
“School’s Out” by Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper‘s “School’s Out” has been a high school anthem since its 1972 release. Cooper, one of the biggest names in hard/glam rock, is known for his over-the-top theatrical performances and costumes, making his work incredibly conducive to the horror genre. Aptly nicknamed the “Godfather of Shock Rock,” Cooper’s career has had an immense influence on a variety of subgenres under the rock and roll umbrella. “School’s Out” is his biggest international hit, capturing the excitement of the final moments before it’s time to leave the classroom behind
The iconic lyrics “School’s out for summer/ School’s out forever/ School’s been blown to pieces” play as the principal of Woodsboro High School announces the suspension of classes due to the recurrent attacks on students. The song is right on the nose – but in an effective way. The inclusion of this track captures the frenzy and paradoxical excitement surrounding the unexplained wave of violence, and subtly alludes to the fact that perhaps the perpetrators of these crimes are closer than the students are being led to believe. No one ever expects the call to come from inside the house.
1
“Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Gus Black
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Image via Dimension Films</figure>
Gus Black‘s stripped-down, acoustic cover of “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult is a quintessential indie singer-songwriter track. Black recorded and produced this song specifically for the Scream soundtrack. Equally romantic and melancholic – with violins and harmonies for added cinematic effect – the use of this cover is perhaps the most clever musical choice in the film.
The original Blue Öyster Cult version is featured in 1978 horror classic Halloween, which heavily inspired the plot and characters of Scream. Halloween is referenced consistently throughout the film, and using a cover of “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” adds another layer of connection between the two movies. The song plays after Billy Loomis (played by Skeet Ulrich) sneaks through his girlfriend’s window and into her bedroom. Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is initially startled – and rightfully so. There’s a killer on the loose! When she realizes it’s just her boyfriend, she relaxes. There’s no need to be afraid … or is there? Should she fear the reaper? The foreshadowing is expertly executed – one of the many details that makes Scream one of the most iconic slasher movies ever made.
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